Dispensing device



Jan. 12, 1937.

E. W. VAH LE 2,067,554 DISPENSING DEVICE Filed July 31, 1933 2 Sheets-Sheet l Jan; 12, 1937. E. w. VAHLE 2,067,554

DISPENSING DEVICE Filed July 31, 1933 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented Jan. 12, 1937 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE Huffman Manufacturing Company,

Dayton,

Ohio, a corporation of Ohio Application July 31, 1933, Serial No. 682,950

20 Claims.

This invention relates to liquid dispensers, and more particularly to devices'for dispensing liquids, such as lubricating oil, enclosed in sealed containers.

Lubricating oil for automobiles is now being widely sold in sealed containers. Oil is so sold in order that the purchaser may be assured of receiving the quality and quantity of oil desired, free from adulteration, or contamination. One of the principal objects of this invention is to provide a dispenser for sealed liquid containers, which is simple in construction and easy of handling and operation.

Another object is to provide such a dispenser which is adapted for so dispensing the oil as to avoid any danger of contamination thereof.

Still another object is to provide such an oil dispenser which is adapted to receive the sealed container in telescopic relationship and in a predetermined positioning, and is provided with a member for piercing a discharge opening in the container through which the contents thereof are entirely discharged into the dispenser and out of contact with the container for delivery from the dispenser.

Another object of the invention is to provide such a dispenser having a piercing knife so constructed that an opening is easily formed for discharging and venting the container, and which is so formed that the pierced and empty container may be readily withdrawn from the container and the piercing knife.

Another object is to provide such a dispenser having a valved outlet and operating mechanism therefor and means arranged to serve as a guard to protect the valve operating mechanism from injury by a container.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following description, the accompanying drawings and the appended claims.

In the drawings, in which like characters of reference designate like parts throughout the several views thereof Fig. l is a top plan view of the dispenser constructed in accordance with this invention;

Fig. 2 is a vertical section corresponding to the section line 22 of Fig. l; a container being shown in dotted outline;

Fig. 3 is a plan view of the dispenser taken similarly to Fig. 1 and showing a container in position within the dispenser;

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary View in perspective of a portion of the valve operating mechanism and container guide;

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary plan view of the underside of the dispenser;

Fig. 6 is a sectional view taken on the line Efi of Fig. 5;

Fig. 7 is a fragmentary sectional view taken on the line ll of Fig. 2 looking down toward the cutting edge of the knife;

Fig. 8 is a plan view of the knife; and

Fig. '9 is a side elevational view of the knife with the knife-supporting means shown in section.

The drawings show a preferred embodiment of a dispenser containing the present invention. This dispenser comprises generally a cylindrical body 10 having a bottom I I spaced some distance from the lower edge of the body, that portion beneath the bottom forming a skirt 12 which serves as a support for the dispenser. The bottom I i has a discharge opening located to one side and preferably adjacent the wall of the dispenser body which is lowermost during discharge and the bottom itself preferably inclines downwardly toward this opening which therefore lies at the low point in the bottom. This discharge opening it in the bottom is controlled by means of a valve 20 provided with suitable operating mechanism.

Attached to the lower side of the bottom ll is a sheet metal plate 25, having an opening therein corresponding to the discharge opening IS in the bottom. This sheet metal plate is provided with a downturned rim or flange 26 which receives the upper open edge 21 of the cup member 28, which member has a well portion designated by the numeral 29, having a discharge opening in the vertical side wall 30 thereof. As shown particularly in Fig. 2 the cup member is provided with an inclined wall 32 which is located beneath the opening l3 so that oil discharging through the opening IS will be directed into the well 29 and out through the opening in the vertical wall 30 thereof.

Mounted within the opening in the vertical wall 3i! is a ring member 35, which has a spherical face 36, which cooperates with a complementary face 3! on the overturned end of a pouring spout 38, this construction permitting of ready swivel movement of the pouring spout during operation.

Opposite the cooperating spherical faces 36 and 31 the pouring spout is provided with a lug 40 having a passage 6| therein, one end of which opens into the interior of the pouring spout and the other end of which passage is bored out to provide a conical socket 43. This socket 43 receives a correspondingly tapered end portion 44 of the screw 45. The screw is threadedly mounted within a block or bushing 46 which is in turn carried within an opening in the plate 41. This plate 41 is attached to the wall of cup member 2'! and also to the skirt portion to provide a rigid support for the screw 45. By properly adjusting this screw, through turning thereof, the conical end portion is brought to bear upon the conical socket 43 to press the spherical faces 36 and 37 together to hold the spout so that it may be readily swung about the axis of the spherical faces 35 and 31, which coincides with the axis of the screw 45, while at the same time suffi cient frictional resistance is interposed to hold the spout in any position in which it may be placed. The bushing 46 has its projecting end bifurcated, as shown particularly in Fig. 6, to receive a cotter-key 50 or other suitable locking member, for holding the screw 45 in adjusted position. Inasmuch as the passage 4! opens into the discharge passage in the discharge spout, oil being dispensed may work in between the conical end 44 of the screw and the receiving socket 53 suificiently to provide a self lubricated bearing; and the same is true with respect to the spherical faces 36 and 37. Also by means of the adjusting screw 45 the spout may be held in proper swivel adjustment.

The valve 20 is carried at one end of a lever arm 55, which is pivotally supported at 55, between two upstanding standards or brackets 51. As shown the brackets or standards 51 are spaced apart a distance substantially in excess of the width of the lever arm 55, and this lever arm is supported upon a cotter-key which extends through suitable openings in the standards 51 and in the lever arm 55. The opposite end of the lever arm 55 is provided with a pivotal projection 58, which passes through a suitable opening in the lower end of the operating link 59. This operating link passes upwardly through an opening 60 in the overturned flange 5! which is formed at the lower end of the can guiding and operating mechanism supporting member 62. This member 52 is shown as formed of a metal stamping having a main body portion 63 which is curved throughout its main extent to correspond with the internal curvature of the body l9, and is preferably spotwelded to the inside of that body portion with its top edge substantially flush with the top of the body l0. This portion 63, throughout a substantial part of its vertical height, has inwardly directed flanges 55,

which are substantially parallel and each of which has an overturned flange 65, which extends to contact with the inside of the body In, the two flanges 65 lying in substantially the same vertical plane. The flange 6| is overturned at the bottom of the portion 63 and is substantially horizontally arranged and extends inwardly towards the axis of the body Ill. The link 59 throughout its lower portion is spaced a substantial distance inwardly from the wall of the body portion, but in its upper portion, is ofiset outwardly to lie closely adjacent the part 63, and completely contained within the space enclosed between the flanges 64. The edges designated by the numeral 61 serve as spaced guiding and supporting portions for the can or container to be inserted into the body of the dispenser, and the construction of these parts, and the location of these edges, is such that when the can or container is introduced into the body It] the edges 61 will serve to guide and properly position it, and to definitely hold it in position where it cannot be brought into contact with the link 59 and other parts of the valve operating mechanism. The upper end of the link 59 is provided with an overturned tongue 19, which extends inwardly through an opening in the operating handle N. This operating handle is shown as a substantially 90 bell-crank lever with the two arms thereof extending in planes substantially perpendicular to'each other. The arm 12 which has an opening therein for receiving the tongue i is also provided with a second opening through which is extended a cotter-key 13. The member 53 has a tongue portion l struck up therefrom as shown to serve as the internal support for the cotter-key and bell-crank lever, the outer end of the cotter-key being supported in a suitable open-' ing within the Wall of the body portion l9, and adjacent the upper edge thereof. A spacing ring i5 also surrounds the. cotter-key and is spaced between the inner wall of the body portion and the arm 12 or operating handle, to provide a suitable positioning and mounting for the operating handle.

Preferably a handle 80 is attached to the body portion, this handle being so positioned that when the handle is gripped in the hand of the operator the arm 8| of the bell-crank lever,'which is arranged substantially radial to the body portion 15, is within easy reach to be moved by the thumb of the operator to open or close the valve 25. The link 59 has a portion 85 struck'up thereon, beneath which is mounted a plate 85 which is slidable upon the link 59 and adapted to rest against a spring 8?. A second plate 88 is also slidably mounted upon the link 59 and receives the lower end of the spring 31. The plate 85 rests upon the upper face of the horizontally arranged flange 5!. The opening 59 within the flange 5| is wider than the link 59 so that as the arm 8i is moved to swing the bell-crank lever and lift the link 59 up. and down to thus move the valve 29 toward and from its seat, the plate 98 may slide back and forth on the flange 5| to accommodate the travel of the link as the operating handle is moved. Also positioned upon the bottom H is an upstanding bifurcated member 95, positioned to straddle the valve lever 55 and guide it as it moves up and down to open and close the valve. By means of the construction described the valve moves up and down so as to effectively seat upon and close the opening is, the link 59 tending to pivot around its point of connection with the lever 55, and thus impart no objectionable sidewise movement to the valve 20 as the opening and closing movement occurs. During this operation, of course, the member 88 can slide on the flange 5| if necessary, and at extreme open position the bell-crank lever arm i2 and link have swung past center to hold the valve in open position. Reverse movement of the arm 8! causes the parts tomove so that the spring 87 moves the'valve shut.

Attached to the body portion lil opposite the member 53 is a plate I99 which is preferably spotwelded to the metal body Hi. This plate throughout its main body portion is of a curvature to correspond with the internal curvature of the body portion Hi. This plate is preferably made as a metal stamping, and its outer or vertical edges are preferably struck inwardly, as shown by the numeral lfli. Supported upon this plate I99 is a knife, designated generally by the numeral I95, for piercing the end of the can or container, the contents of which are to be dispensed. As shown, the knife is formed from a piece of fiat steel stamped into substantially U-shape in crosssection, with the midportion I96 curved and of a radius corresponding to the radius of the cylindrical container the contents of which are to be dispensed. The plate is formed of stock which is heavier than the metal of the body portion iii and serves as a reinforcement and sufficiently substantial support for the knife. Because of this corresponding curvature this portion of the knife, when the container is inserted into the body the knife and the container.

spam

portion l B, will pierce :the end of the container along a curved line lying immediately adjacent the curved edge of the can. Theside membersof the knife, Hll, are slightly divergent with each other and are directed inwardly toward the .axis of the body portion. The knife cutting edge is of generally V-shaped'form with the apex along the,

longitudinalior vertical center of the curved portion Hit of the knife, and with the cutting edges tapering downwardly throughout the extent of the curved portion and side members I01.

As the lubricant container is introduced into the body portion, the guiding member 6''! will serve to properly position it within the *body portion and bring the-containeragainst the opposite portion of the body with the 'cuivedportion 1536 of the knife positioned to cut on a curve immediately within, and corresponding to, the

curvature of the seam-around the end of the can.

The telescoped container stands 'eccentrically with respect to the dispenser side wall. The spaced guide members are proportioned to accurately position the container on the diametral line extending from the side wall adjacent the knife to intermediate the two guide members. Thisaccurately locates the knife with respect to the container. The two guide portions "6'5 are shown as spaced apart 'a distance approximately .the same as thecontainer radius so that it will be apparent that their spacing is such as to permit some movement of the container in a transverse direction so that it may be given a twisting movement sufficient to break the interengagement of As the knife is tapered the initial withdrawal movement is sufiicient to free the container. As the can is pressed downwardly the apex of the knife first punctures the end of the can and as the can is moved downwardly the pouring opening is progressively cut, and because of the downwardly inclined cutting edges, the cut out lip is simultaneously curled back and within the container.

In order to insure ready removal of the empty container, the knife is given a double taper so that the size of the pouring opening is progressively increased throughout the full length of travel of the container during the cutting operation. As shown generally in Fig. 8 the side portions I01 flare outwardly or diverge-downwardly a slight'amount from the top toward the bottom of the knife. Also the width of the side portions l'lll increases from the termination of the cutting edge at the point I H] to a point I H which marks approximately the point of maximum downward travel of the container within the body portion. By so proportioning the knife the empty container is readily released therefrom upon withdrawal motion thereof. A slight twisting movement of the container facilitates initial disengagement thereof. The knife is supported upon the member Hlll by means of screws H5, which are threadedly mounted within the supporting plate H30 and within correspondingly threaded openings in the knife itself. By means of this construction it is unnecessary to use nuts or other members that might come off during operation, and because of their small size, might travel out of the dispenser along with the oil into an automobile crank-case, to cause tremendous damage to the automobile engine. The curved portion "36 of the knife, as shown, stands closely adjacent the side Wall of the body portion In, and the plate I00 serves as a stop to limit the down- Ward travel of the container. This plate 100 is so positioned that the space available in the body portion l0 :below the point of downward travel pf :the container or can, which is shown in dotted "lines in Fig. 2, is suflicient in volumetric capacity to .receive all of the oil or other liquid within the can without the upper surface of the liquid coming in contact with the can. In this manner coirtamina'tionof the oil by dirt or the like :whiohmightadhere to the can is prevented, and the clean oiljust as it flows from the can or container is dispensed through the spout. Further, the empty container when removed is not covered withoil.

The sealed containers from which the oil is discharged into the dispenser are generally made to :an established liquid measure; consequently, the dispenser 'need not be calibrated. It may, however, be :provided with volume calibrations for use as a imeasure.

Because of the curvature of the portion I of theiknife corresponding to the curvature of .thercan, .and the can having adiameter less than the diameter of the body portion 10, the curved portion of the knife would not exactly correspond in curvature with the body portion It. The plate Hill, with the struck up portions Ifll along its edgesithus provides a three point support for the :knifepand by properly tightening the screws M5 the knife may be pulled down tightly and properly held against the plate I00 'and the portions :l lll.

As-shown, the spout is preferably a rigid tubular metal member, having its discharge end overturned somewhat and provided adjacent thereto withcorrugations I20 which serve to engage the edge =of the opening within the crank-case, or other container into which the oil is to be discharged, tosupport the dispenser.

While the form of apparatus herein described constitutes a preferred embodiment of the invention. it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to this precise form of apparatus, and that changes may be made therein without departing "from the scope of the invention which is defined in the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A liquid dispenser adapted to receive and open a:sea'led container and to dispense the contents thereof, having a side wall adapted to receive acontainer in telescopic relationship therewith, a container piercing knife positioned adiacentand'in'fixedrelationshipwith the side wall, and container guide means extending axially of the d spenser and cooperativel related to the side ivall=and knife to position a container in predetermined relationship with respect to said knife, said guide means and said side wall providing three locating lines of engagement with the container two of which are substantially closer together than they are to the third.

'2. A liquid dispenser adapted to receive and open a sealedcontainer and to dispense the contents thereof, having a side wall adapted to receivc a'con'tainer in telescopic relationship therewith, container piercing knife positioned adjacen't and in fixed relationship with the side wall, andcontainer guide meanscomprising a pair of parallel spaced guide members-extending axialh of the dispenser opposite said knife and cooperatively related to the side wall and knife to position 'a container in predetermined relation with respect -to said knife, the distance between said guide members being substantially the same as the container radius.

8. A lquid dispenser adapted to receive and open a sealed container and to dispense the contents thereof, having a side wall'adapted to receive a container in telescopic relationship therewith, a container piercing knife positioned adjacent and in fixed relationship with the side wall, and container guide means affixed to the dispenser side wall and angularly positioned with respect to said knife, said guide means comprising a unitary sheet metal part having parallel guide members extending axially of the dispenser and afiording spaced contact points for the container which are cooperatively related to the side wall at the knife whereby the container is given a predetermined positioning with respect to said knife.

4; A liquid dispenser adapted to receive and open a sealed container and to dispense the contents thereof, having a cylindrical side wall adapted to receive a container in telescopic relationship therewith, a container piercing knife positioned adjacent and in fixed relationship with the "side wall, said knife having a curved biade spaced inwardly from the dispenser wall and having an upwardly projecting cutting edge, valve means for controlling the flow from the container, and a pair of spaced container guide means opposite said knife and cooperatively related to the side wall and knife to eccentrically position a container so that the container side wall extends intermediate the knife and dispenser side wall during telescoping movement.

5. A liquid dispenser adapted to receive and open a sealed container and to dispense the contents thereof', having a side wall adapted to receive a container in telescopic relationship therewith, a container piercing knife positioned adjacent and in fixed relationship with the side wall, and container guide means comprising parallel space-cl guide members extending axially of the dispenser and cooperatively related to the side wall and knife to position a container in predetermined relation with respect to said knife, said guide members being diametrically related with respect to said knife and extending inwardly from the dispenser side wall to position a container eccentrically with respect to said side wall and being spaced with respect to the opposite side wall to position the container within close limits as regards the diametral spacing and the knife and to loosely receive the con tainer in a direction perpendicular to the diametral line to afford lateral movement of the container sufficient to effect release of the container from the knife.

6. A liquid dispenser adapted to receive and open a sealed container and to dispense the contents thereof, having a side wall adapted to receive a container in telescopic relationship therewith and having a valved outlet, valve actuating r eans, a knife in said dispenser, a container guide having spaced guide members to position a container in the dispenser in predetermined relationship with respect to said knife, supporting means within the dispenser for the valve actuating means, said guide members extending inwardly with respect to the valve actuating means and its support to form a guard to protect said means against contact by a container.

7, A liquid dispenser adapted to receive and open a sealed container and to dispense the contents thereof, having a side wall adapted to receive a'container in telescopic relationship therewith and having a valved outlet, valve actuating means comprising a pivotally movable operating arm and a spring tensioned rod, a knife in said dispenser, a container guide comprising a plate attached to the side wall of the dispenser and having parallel inturned sides extending axially of the dispenser for guiding a container in predetermined relationship with respect to said knife, means on the container guide for supporting the valve operating arm and the spring tensioned rod thereon intermediate the inturned sides, said inturned sides extending inwardly of the dispenser side wall an amount sufficient to afford protection of the valve actuating parts from contact by a container.

8. A liquid dispenser adapted to receive and open a sealed container and to dispense the contents thereof, having a side wall adapted to receive a container in telescopic relationship therewith and having a valved outlet, valve actuating means, a knife in said dispenser, and an integrally formed sheet metal member in said dispenser for guiding a container therein and for supportting the valve actuating means, said sheet metal member comprising a plate shaped to conform to the contour of the dispenser side wall and adapted for surface engagement therewith, said plate having laterally spaced inwardly directed flanges extending axially of the dispenser and terminating in overturned flanges which extend to the dispenser side wall, the lines of junction of each pair of flanges and the diametrically opposite side wall affording a three point container guide for positioning the path of movement of a container out of the range of contact with the valve actuating means and in a predetermined relationship with respect to said knife.

9. A liquid dispenser adapted to receive and open a sealed container and to dispense the contents thereof, having a side wall adapted to receive a container in telescopic relationship therewith, a knife of substantially U-shape section within the confines of the side wall adapted to pierce the end of the telescoped container for formation of a pouring opening therein, said knife having an upwardly pointing cutting edge and having the legs of the U section diverging downwardly with respect to one another whereby the pouring opening is increased as the telescoping progresses to produce easy release of the container from engagement with the knife upon initial withdrawal movement of the container.

10. A liquid dispenser adapted to receive and open a sealed container and to dispense the contents thereof, having a side wall adapted to receive a container in telescopic relationship therewith, and a knife of substantially U-shape section in said dispenser having an upwardly projecting cutting edge adapted to pierce a. pouring opening in a container, said knife being of tapering shape increasing in width in one drection and in breadth in a different direction from the cutting edge whereby the pouring opening is increased as the telescoping progresses to produce easy release of the container from, engagement with the knife upon initial withdrawal movement of the container.

11. A liquid dispenser adapted to receive and open a sealed container and to dispense the contents thereof, having a side wall adapted to receive a container in telescopic relationship therewith, and a knife within the confines of the side wall and having an upwardly projecting cutting edge adapted to pierce a pouring opening in a telescoped container, said knife comprising a curved portion spaced from the side wall and laterally inturned side portions extending inwardly from the side wall, said side portions diverging downwardly with respect to one another from the top of the knife, the edges of the side portions being inclined from the top downwardly so that the side portions increase in width from the top downwardly, whereby the pouring opening increases as the telescoping of the container progresses to produce easy release of the container from engagement with the knife upon initial Withdrawal movement of the container.

12. A liquid dispenser adapted to receive and open a sealed container and to dispense the contents thereof, having a cylindrical side wall adapted to receive the container in telescopic relationship therewith, a knife in said dispenser having an upwardly projecting cutting edge adapted to pierce a pouring opening in a container, said knife being formed from fiat material to substantially U-shape, the curved midportion of said knife conforming substantially to the curvature of the side wall of the container the contents of which are to be dispensed and the inturned side portions being fiat, the knife having the top of its curved and side portions inclined downwardly from an apex located substantially upon the vertical axial line of the curved portion, the sides of the knife diverging downwardly a slight amount with respect to one another and the side inwardly presented edges being of gradually increasing width from the top toward the bottom of the knife, and means for supporting the knife in the dispenser spaced inwardly a distance somewhat greater than the seam surrounding the end wall of the container.

13. A liquid dispenser adapted to receive and open a sealed container and to dispense the contents thereof, having a side wall adapted to receive a container eccentrically in telescopic rela tionship therewith, a knife having a curved portion adapted to pierce a pouring opening in the container, knife supporting means comprising a plate curved to conform to the curvature of the side wall and having inturned side edges affording spaced engagement with the knife, and clamping means for attaching the knife and plate to the side wall, said clamping means engaging the knife intermediate the spaced contact of the plate to provide a rigid three point support of the blade with respect to the plate.

14. A liquid dispenser adapted to receive and open a sealed container and to dispense the contents thereof, having a side wall adapted to receive a container in telescopic relationship therewith, a knife shaped with a smaller radius of curvature than said side wall to conform to the contour of the side of the container the contents of which are to be dispensed, knife supporting means comprising a plate attached to the side wall of the dispenser and having inturned side edges extending axially of the dispenser and affording spaced parallel lines of contact with the knife, clamping means for the knife extending through the side wall and supporting member for engagement with the knife intermediate the spaced contacts of the supporting means and adapted to clamp the knife in tension to secure its positioning with respect to the supporting member and to hold the clamping means in engagement.

porting means comprising a plate attached to the side wall of the dispenser and shaped to conform to the contour thereof, said plate having inturned side edges afiording spaced parallel lines of contact, with the knife extending axially of the dispenser, knife attaching screws for holding the knife in clamped engagement on the side wall, said screws extending from the outside of the dispenser through the side wall and supporting means into threaded engagement with the knife and adapted upon being drawn tight to clamp the knife in tension whereby the knife is securely positioned with respect to the supporting means.

16. In a liquid dispenser having a discharge port and an interfitting and pivotally movable pouring spout in communication therewith, means for holding the pouring spout in fluid tight engagement with the discharge port comprising spout supporting means tensioned in surface engagement with said spout, said spout having a lubricant passage extending from the interior thereof to the spout surface at the place of engagement of the supporting means.

17. In a liquid dispenser having a discharge port and an interfitting and pivotally movable pouring spout in communication therewith, means for holding the pouring spout in fluid tight engagement with the discharge port comprising a tensioned member engageable with the pouring spout on the axis of rotation, and a passage extending from the interior of the pouring spout to the point of engagement of the tensioned member to afford lubrication thereto.

18. In a liquid dispenser having a discharge port and an interfitting and pivotally movable pouring spout'in communication therewith, said parts having spherical interengaging surfaces, and means for maintaining said surfaces in fluid tight engagement comprising a conical socket formed in the pouring spout on the axis of rotation thereof with the apex toward the interengaging spherical surfaces, a conical pointed screw adapted to be received in said conical socket, means on the dispenser for supporting said screw in tensioned engagement with said socket, and a fluid passage extending from within the pouring spout to the conical socket affording a lubricant passage to the interengaging surfaces of the screw and conical socket.

19. In a liquid dispenser, a body having a discharge port and an interfitting and pivotally movable pouring spout in communication therewith, and an adjustable threaded member adjust ably mounted on said body in line with the axis of rotation of said pouring spout and engaging said pouring spout to hold it against said discharge port and to center it pivotally on said body.

20. A liquid dispenser adapted to receive and open a sealed container and to dispense the contents thereof, having a side wall adapted to receive a container in telescopic relation therewith, a container piercing knife positioned adjacent and in fixed relationship with the side Wall, and container guide means comprising a pair of parallel spaced guide members extending axially of the dispenser and cooperatively related to the side wall and knife so that the container is positioned by said pair of guide members and the side wall in predetermined relation with respect to said knife.

EDGAR W. VAHLE. 

